A Look at the Next 365 Days {Recipe: Country Oatmeal Bread}

I grew up in a home where bread with stuff in it was the norm. Hearty whole grain bread with oatmeal, nuts, wheat bits and more… the more stuff baked inside the bread, the better. I not so affectionately called it old people bread. Oh, how I longed for soft, tender pieces of white Wonder bread. It rarely happened… at our house my parents loved old people bread so that’s what we all got.

Fast forward to today… I can’t get enough of old people bread. I love real butter slathered on a slice of whole grain bread or thick oatmeal bread…or “oldmeal” bread.

Funny because today, October 5th, I turn 39. Although my parents were just a tad older when I remember them eating old people bread, back then, I thought they were old. Ancient in the eyes of a young kid. And here I am today… officially old to my kids and eating old people bread.

39…wow. You know how you say when you have kids you can’t believe they are another year old. I’m kind of at the point today. I can’t believe I have one more year of my 30’s left. I’ve never been one to get upset by a number, especially when it comes to age, but I’ve really been thinking a lot about my next 365 days. This past year I’ve accomplished quite a bit, but I’ve also let a lot of bad habits slip back in. Here are a few things I want to gain control of in the next 365… before I turn the wonderful “big 4-0”.

I started running this past year and I felt fantastic and was so proud of myself… until I stopped. Breaking my toes and then getting a stress fracture put a halt to any motivation I had, so I stopped. By the time I’m 4-0 I want to have ran 365 miles. That’s my goal. It’s nothing too high, but at a few miles a day a few days a week, it should be easy to do. I just need to get back to getting it done.

I lost 30 pounds this past year. When I stopped moving, I gained 15 of it back. I LOVED how great I felt 30 pounds lighter. I had more confidence, felt better about my health and well being. Enjoyed shopping and pretty much everything more. My goal is to get back down to that weight or close… even if it isn’t *that* weight, I want to fit into my skinny clothes and find the body that makes me feel as good as I was feeling!

I need to schedule regular date nights (and another vacation) with my husband. No if, ands, or buts… this has to happen. Getting the calendar out this weekend and am going to find a babysitter to pencil in for one date each month.

I have some seriously bad habits… in the next 365 I want to get a grip on drinking my water, cutting out soda completely, eating breakfast and simply developing habits that are better for my health. Licorice bites for lunch is probably not an ok thing anymore.

I need to get a baseline mammogram and go to the dentist. Today, I will be scheduling those appointments.

I want to nurture some of the friendships I have. Friends are very, very important and deserve to have some priority in my life.

I want to start working with a life or organizational coach of some kind. I miss how organized my life used to be. By the time I’m 40, I want to feel like I am in more control of my routines but I need help. Somewhere along the way I have lost my ability to self-motivate. My self-discipline in so many areas has gone out the window, and that’s not a good thing. By the time my birthday rolls around next year, it is my hopes to have some routines, good habits and more firmly in place.

I am going to start a book club.

So that’s that… 365 days to go and I have some lofty goals, but I am bound and determined to ring in 4-0 as the healthiest version of myself I can be… both physically and mentally.

In the meantime, I’ll keep munching on old people bread and enjoying my developing old people palate. Starting with this tender, soft, delicious Country Oatmeal Bread.

Grow old with me..and eat bread with me. Sounds like a nice life plan, doesn’t it?

Homemade Country Oatmeal Bread for the Bread Machine

A hearty, delicious bread recipe from Red Star Yeast. I adapted this recipe by halving the ingredients and using my bread machine. For the non-bread machine method, visit this link for Country Oatmeal Bread on their website.

Ingredients

2 1/4teaspoonsActive Dry Yeast

1/4cupplus 2 Tablespoons water

2Tablespoonssugar

2Tablespoonsbuttermelted and cooled

1cupmilk

1teaspoonKosher salt

1/2cupQuick Oats

1 1/2cupsbread flour

1 1/2cupswhole wheat flour

1TablespoonQuick Oatsfor topping

Instructions

Place all ingredients but the Quick Oats for topping into your bread machine. Select the dough cycle and start.

Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough and place it in a greased 9x5x2 loaf pan. Set in a warm place, cover, and allow to rise until double in size.

Brush loaf with water and sprinkle Quick Oats across the top of the loaf.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! I can only hope to write a post like this when I turn 39. You are a huge inspiration and role model to so many food bloggers – personally and professionally. Also, congrats on the 30 pounds lost! I have no doubt you’ll get back to your happy place and weight. CELEBRATE BIG today!!! xoxo

Happy Birthday! Isn’t it amazing how birthdays can really make us re-evaluate our lives… I love your goals. Good luck with them – I know you’ll accomplish them and start 40 how you want to!
I love the name old people bread… I guess I’m old too because that’s what I love too. 😉

Happy, happy birthday.
My 40’s were some of my best years. I turned 50 this year and have really embraced and celebrated everything from my life, to my work, to my loves and my relationships (parents, friends , siblings, etc.). No matter which birthday it may be, I thnk it is great to reevaluate. Good luck on everything. I enjoy your blog and YOU inspire me!

Enjoy 39! Your goals are great – I think you are too hard on yourself, but the goals you have set are practical and attainable – you will have a great year! Thanks for posting the oatmeal bread recipe – I saw it on instagram and was hoping you’d send us the recipe – could be breakfast for me tomorrow! Love, Maureen

Oh I remember 39 (sort of)! It was a good year. I love your goals! So direct and focused and centered. You’ll make it. I know you will. Enjoy your birthday and the coming 365 days. I’m so glad you were born! Have an awesome day. Christy

I,too, think you are too hard on yourself. I just this morning told Aunt Rose about your vision board. Maybe you need to post your goals where you can see them everyday. Positively, I think every year should be better, and it is. Just as you plan to get back to running in small increments, your weight loss should be approached in the same way….and I think the two probably go together. You are one of the most organized people I know. I don’t know how you do all you do. Would you be my life coach? Love, and Happy Birthday!

Love these resolutions. If your coach has some good organizational recommendations, would love for you to share!! 🙂 And I love that you’re scheduling date nights. You and your husband are too cute together!!

Happy happy birthday to you! So proud of all you have already accomplished!

You are almost in the club, the Club 4-0. And let me just tell you, it really isn’t that bad. Enjoy the last of your 30’s but know that 40’s brings another whole level of love, sophistication and patience, with yourself and those around you, that the 30’s never could deliver. I love you 365 plan, I’m going to join you on almost every one of them. How about setting up a club/hastag/something we can cheer and motivate one another to do. As if you needed another thing to coordinate. I’m so thankful to call you a friend, and thankful I had the past 365 to get to know you better. Happy birthday. CLINKS! (that can be coffee or wine, your choice.) XO

Kristen, this post is completely perfect. I love how you write anyway, but today’s is exactly what I love about you. You’re honest and always working on yourself and appreciating those around you. I love that about you. Truly. Happy birthday my friend, I have much to learn from you, and I cannot wait to get to know you better. Oh, and I totally think there should be an online book club. It’s good for us bloggers to unplug.

Happy Birthday! I am trying to remember back to 39…I just know the older we get the faster the time goes. Your goals are inspiring! Makes me think about just want I want to accomplish next year. And I love the recipe for the “old people” bread. Look forward to following along this next year!

Sounds like you had a good year. Congrats on all you accomplished and good luck to you in the next 365 days. My birthday is coming up on the 13th and this is a great way to reflect on the past and look to the coming year.

Great Plan!! I am inching ever so closer to the big 4-0. March 27 marks that day! I’m hoping to attempt a half-marathon before that day happens and lose about 15 more pounds to get back to my pre-marriage weight!! After having 4 kids and working in has only taken 16+ years! I hope your list goes well! I’m slowly crossing things off mine as well!

You have accomplished so much. I have every faith you will follow through on all your goals. I like the friend thing, I have a few really good gf’s and I cherish those friendships so much. It makes life so much better. You have people to vent to, to laugh with, and to hold you up when feel like falling. It’s amazing.

Love the bread. There is nothing better than a hearty, comforting load of bread.

What a lovely post Kristen. I remember feeling the same way at 39. I’m a couple years on the other side of 40 now and can honestly say life is still good, though I also could adopt any one of your goals and make them mine without much editing. The husband part aside, of course 🙂 Thanks for reminding me that goals take time, and nothing ‘fixes’ in a day. Here’s to an amazing 365 to come.

I love your goals – I’ve got 10 years on you (waaaah!) but I’m still trying to find ways to better myself and my life. It’s a life process. You may inspire me to get running?? I’ve always been active and used to be quite the gym rat lol but running eluded me somehow…..

Awesome list, I’m all about birthday goals over new year’s goals now! When I turned 34 in August I made a list of 35 things to do before I turn 35. I love the idea of tracking your miles, 365 is totally possible and I imagine you’ll end up surpassing it. I can relate in one way or another to all of your goals above and I’m so excited for what this year is going to bring you!

I just found your blog via my friend Amanda, and was here all about the bread recipe!! Is there a recipe for it without using a bread machine (mine broke and until I move back to the states I won’t be buying one). If you happen to have one, I’d love to be able to make this.

I’m a little late to the part…but I’m just extending the bday festivities. 🙂 I love your goals. I feel like my goal needs to be to set some goals. Sigh. And um yes…can I invite myself to be a virtual extension of your book club?!? I’m a book junkie!!!

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